Timofey Mozgov was coming off the best season of his career last year and was expected play a big role for the Cleveland Cavaliers again this year. Mozgov still has a role, but it has been greatly diminished, even from the start of this season. The 7-foot-1 center is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, and it is very unlikely that he re-signs with the Cavs, according to Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com.
The odds of Mozgov being with Cleveland after this year have always been minimal, especially after they gave Tristan Thompson a huge contract extension. The Cavaliers have huge cap problems, and Mozgov is expected to get a big raise after this season. This season Mozgov is making about $5 million, but there was talk he might get a max contract this summer. That is no longer the case now, but Mozgov should still be able to fetch a much richer contract on the open market than the Cavs are willing to give him.
Earlier in the season, Mozgov was mentioned in a lot of trade rumors, but those have quieted down a bit. Pluto, though, said that he wouldn't be surprised if Mozgov was traded at the deadline because he has a reasonable salary and a minimal role in Cleveland. Mozgov was mentioned in the reported blockbuster trade being discussed by the Knicks, Celtics and Cavs but that trade doesn't seem to have any legs.
Mozgov lost his starting spot to Thompson, and since then, his minutes have been sporadic. Overall Mozgov hasn't played nearly as well this year as he did last year, particularly on the defensive end. David Blatt being fired and Tyronn Lue being hired was probably not a good thing for Mozgov, either, as Lue wants to go small and fast, and Mozgov is not a good fit for that style. A Mozgov trade doesn't seem likely before the deadline, but his time in Cleveland likely won't extend beyond this season.
Despite his poor season, there should still be a nice market for Mozgov in the offseason. He may not get the max contract it looked like he may be able to get at one point, but a big raise still seems likely. The game is trending towards smaller lineups, but there is still a place in the league for Mozgov and his great size, so he should be in fine shape as a free agent this summer.
